Local News

New multi-million-pound investment in mental health services for Surrey

Surrey County Council has announced plans for an extra £8 million of focused investment in mental health services in Surrey as part of the county’s No One Left Behind agenda.
The COVID-19 pandemic intensified existing pressures on mental health services, making it harder for people to get the support they needed, and this money will deliver faster and better care for those needing help, extra support for young people and more prevention and early intervention to stop people reaching crisis point.
The additional funding will include:

More mental health counsellors
Extra help in schools to improve young people’s mental health
More practitioners to aid people’s recovery
Grants to mental health charities
Investment in suicide prevention
More practical advice for residents to enjoy better mental health
Increase in early support like talking therapy
More mental health hospital beds for people in crisis
Specialist accommodation for people in recovery.

Surrey has a large Armed Forces Community, currently 40,000 veterans, 6,000 serving, 1,280 service children.

To help you understand, work with and know more about this huge group of people within our communities, a free one-hour virtual session from Forces Connect is now available to book. This training is designed to increase/refresh your understanding of:

What the Armed Forces Covenant is and the new legislation
Who are the armed forces community
What challenges are they likely to face
How can we understand their needs
Where are the military in your area
How to link with armed forces charities and how they can help

The one-hour-long sessions are planned to take place at various times on Wednesday 2 February, Thursday 17 March, Monday 25 April and Wednesday 18 May.
In Summer 2022 the Armed Forces Covenant is being enshrined in law resulting in a legal requirement for local authorities to ensure ‘due regard’ for this community in a number of key areas. If you have any questions or have any issues with booking your place please email fcse@surreycc.gov.uk.

Events

Surrey Carers and Providers event will focus on hospital discharge experience

The Surrey Joint Carers Programme Team is organising the next Surrey Carers and Providers event which will be held on Thursday 24 February 2-4 pm.
The virtual event (via Microsoft Teams) will focus on improving the hospital discharge experience for carers and will feature keynote speakers including Emily Hotzhausen from Carers UK and Sue Younger-Ross from the Joint Carers Team in Devon.
Anyone who has an interest in supporting carers is welcome to attend.
For more information and to attend, please contact Kim Waters, Joint Carers Programme Support Officer, Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership who will then forward on a calendar invite for the event.

Telephone: 0300 561 1253
Mobile: 07500692369
Email: Kim.waters@nhs.net

Community Foundation for Surrey Funding Surgeries

The Community Foundation for Surrey offers thirty-minute virtual (via Teams) one to one
Funding Surgery sessions with a Grant Officer for advice and guidance when thinking of making an application to them but have some questions.
The next sessions are Wednesday 26 January, Tuesday 22 February and Wednesday 23 March 2022. Various times are currently available.
For more information:

Email: grants@cfsurrey.org.uk
Telephone: 01483 478092

Carers Health Check

As a carer you will know it's important to look after your health, both for your own benefit, and, to enable you to care for your loved ones. Health Checks can provide vital information and advice to help you stay well.

Surrey County Council, in partnership with 'One You', provide a useful service so you can easily book a Carers Health Check online. The health check will be delivered conveniently in your own home at a time that suits you. The appointment will be with a trained practitioner. Find out more about the health checks in this Health Check leaflet

(You will also find useful information about keeping healthy in 2022 on our website and also in Surrey County Council's recent Surrey Matters Newsletter)